By all accounts, the 17-year-old Mason High School student was an all-American boy next door, but prosecutors said he took part in a $3 million hydroponic marijuana distribution ring.

"That's just incredibly unbelievable," said Jewell Folta, a Mason parent. "I just can't believe a student in high school would do something like this."

Prosecutors said the teen had at least six former or current students, including 20-year-old Gerald Peele, working for him to supply students at Mason and Kings high schools with drugs.

The teen brought in about $20,000 per month, authorities said.

"(We) know that there's, like, drugs happening in our school, as any school, but to have this big of an operation happening in front of everyone is kind of astonishing," said Mason student Nick Martin.

Prosecutors said the high-grade marijuana was passed down to the teen from grow houses in Blue Ash, Norwood and Hamilton.

Seven adults have been charged in connection with the operation.

The teen's mother denied her son was involved, and prosecutors said they found no evidence that she knew about his actions.

"That makes you want to check up on your child and make sure you know who their friends are and what they're doing," Folta said. "I think that would concern me enough to want to maybe beef that up a little bit."

The teen is due in court July 31, and if convicted on all charges, could face up to three years in prison.

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